Seattle BioMed

Nanovolume optimization of protein crystal growth

Authors: 

 

Gerdts, CJ, Stahl, G., Napuli, A., Staker, B., Abendroth, J., Edwards, T.E., Myler, P.J., Van Voorhis, W.C., Nollert, P., Stewart, L

Journal: 

 

J. Appl. Crystallogr.

Publication date: 
October 2010

The Microcapillary Protein Crystallization System (MPCS) is a microfluidic, plug-based crystallization technology that generates X-ray diffraction-ready protein crystals in nanolitre volumes. In this study, 28 out of 29 (93%) proteins crystallized by traditional vapor diffusion experiments were successfully crystallized by chemical gradient optimization experiments using the MPCS technology. In total, 90 out of 120 (75%) protein/precipitant combinations leading to initial crystal hits from vapor diffusion experiments were successfully crystallized using MPCS technology. Many of the resulting crystals produced high-quality X-ray diffraction data, and six novel protein structures that were derived from crystals harvested from MPCS CrystalCards are reported.